News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 6, 30 May 1884, Page 9

News of the Week .

Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thubsday.

Fkidat.

The Springfied Colliery last week finished boring operations with the diamond drill. They have pat down two bores at some distance from the preaeat shaft— one to a depth of 300 ft, the other about 650 ft. They passed through four workable seams of coal, varying from 3ft to s|f tin tbicknesi -the lowest at 545 ft. The coal, though not bituminous, is superior to that now worked. The Bha<* Point Company have arranged to test their ground with the same diamond drill. Captain Colbeck, who for some time represented Marsden, left Auckland yesterday by the Kotomahana for Wellington, to take passage by the Aoiangi for England. Captain Colbeck will remain for some tarn« at home. He will probably form a settlement for New Zealand, and will take steps for the establishment of a woollen factory at Auckland. He was interviewed by a deputation of Rodney electors, who .invited him to contest the seat with Mr. Seymour George at the approaching election. Captain Colbeck said he could not definitely make up his mind on the point then, but he would leave his English address and place himself in the hands of his friends. Dr. Moran, the newly-appointed Archbishop of Sydney, sails for Australia towards the end of June. The sculling match between Hanlan and Laycock took place on the Nepean River yesterday afternoon, anu resulted in a victory for for the former by half a length. Hanlan never exerted himself, and won as he liked. The following are the details of the boat-race :— For the first quarter of a mile the lxms were level. The competitors both appeared to be rowing a waiting race. Hanlan then increased his speed, and at the half-m'le wamleading by two lengths. Laycock then sported, but Haulan answered apparently without exerting himself, and kept the lead for the remainder of the race, finishing half a length ahead. Time, 22 nun. 45 sec. There was a large attendance of spectators. The PaU Mall Gazette states tbat the Government have virtually decided to despatch an expedition to Koartoutn unless General Gordon succeeds in escaping. The same journal adds that the force will consist of 10,000 men. under the command of Lord Wolssley, and that the ext-edition will proceed to Khartoum via Souakim and Berber. The officers attached 10 the British war-vessels now 6tatiored in Egyptian waters are already engaged in equipping steamers suitable for river navigation, and several vessels are being fitted in a manner suitable for the conveyance of troops to Assouan.

Saturday.

Mr. H. Feldwick, M.H.R. for Invercargill addressed his constituency last evening. He was well received. The speech contained notaing of special note. In answer to questions, he affirmed himself a Protectionist. He would not interefere with the Education Act, but was in favour of a grant to denominations for school purposes. A motion was proposed that a vote of thanks be tendered to the member for his address. An amendment, that a vote of confidence bs passed, was declared carried oa the voices. A large number abstained from voting.

Captain Cimille, of the Waikato, an old identity, aged 88, has died. Recently his mind showed symptoms of weakness. Last Friday he told his attendants he was going to be flogged by some person, and he would go into the water so that they could not get at him so easily. Labouring uuder this hallucination, he went and lay down in a creek, immersing the whole of his body except his head, which he rested on a stone. A short time elapsed before he was discovered. When taken out of the water he was quite benumbed, and he gradually sank through the shock to the system. A petition is to be read at all Catholic churches in Auckland on Sunday, in order to procure signatures to it for presentation to the assembly praying for an amendment of the fidnca tion Act. The prayer of the petition is that a capitation grant be given to every Roman Catholic school, based on the general average attendance at the Sunday-school, and on the results of an examination made under Government inspection ; that whijst the average anual cost to the Government for each child attending the State schools is estimated in the Government returns at £4, and the result of the closing of the existing Roman Catholic schools— an event that lies in the discretionary power of the petitioners— would involve Government in an extra expenditure of some £5600, exclusive of the cost of extra school ouildings, in many already overcrowded districts the proposed remedial measure would entail a considerably less, expenditure to the State, and go far to allay the grievous and reasonable discontent of her Majesty's subjects in this Provincial District of Auckland. It also sets forth that there are 18,000 Catholics in the Auckland diocese conscientiously opposed to the existing system, and who have in consequence established and maintained 18 schools, involving an expenditure in sites and buildings of about £28,000, exclusive of any Government grant towards the cost oE maintaining said schools ; and 1400 children are now being educated in these,schools without any aid from Government. - - A banquet was given on Thursday evening to Sir Henry Loch, the newly-appointed Governor of Victoria, by a number of Victorian eelonists in London. Earl Rosebery presided, and the conpany included Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-general for New South Wales, and various notables. The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, warmly eulogised the tried services of Sir Henry Loch, and urged him on his arrival in Victoria to inculcate a desire for the unity of the Empire. Sir Henry, in reply, promising to exert himself unceasingly to encourage a feeling of affection and confidence between the Colonies and the Mother Country. In the House of Commons on Thursday night the Government were questioned regarding the reported equioment of steamers under the supervision ef the .British naval authorities in Egypt. In reply, Mr. Gladstone explained that the Admiralty were making arrange-

ments for the service of small steamers to act as patrols on the Nile between Assonan. At the first cataract, and Wady Haifa, at the second cat aract on That river. The Premier also made a statement regardi a" the approaching International Conference ou Egyptain affairs, in.the course of wbicth he declared that Government would never consent to revert 1o a dual control by England and France over Egyptian finances, and added that no Power had as yet attempted to alter the basis upon which the British Government had proposed that the Conference should take place. .

miss uargon concluded on Saturday night two of the best draw-ing-room entertainments ever given in Oamaru. The Jewish rabbi at Auckland has applied to the City School Committee that Jewish children might leave school at 3.30 on Wednesday afternoons, in order to ensure their attendance at synagogue tor Hebrew instruction. The Committee considered that iustrucuou in Hebrew might embrace "religious instruction," and the application was refused on the ground that any other clergyman might make a similar request, with some object repugnant to the Education ACtt A ladies' committee, 50 strong, has beea formed at Auckland m connection with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, under the patronage of Miss Jervois, with Miss Whitaker as secretary. Telegrams have been received by Government from Sir R. E. Kgerton, British Minister at Cairo, stating that Madir, Governor of Dongola, has reported the receipt of reliable intelligence to the effect that the Mabdi is now at Ein Ebrahim*, in Kordofan. The project for the construction of a ship canal to Manchester bas leen authorised, and a capital of £5,000,000 has heen subscribed to carry it out. A further development of the Colonial policy of Germany is announced. Arrangements are now being made for starting a German colonial Bank at Hamburg, with branches in Australia and the East. Tne capital is to be 30,000,000 marks. Great efforts are now being made to secure the southern frontier of Egypt proper against invasion by the followers of the Mahdi. A large ,force of Egyptian troops has arrived at Wady Haifa, under command of British officers and will at once commence to fortify the The House of Commons has, by a large majority, rejected an amendment delaying the extension of the franchise until a redistribution of seats takes place. The value of wheat cargoes is unchanged, and recent sales involve a loss to importers. The Press is jubilant, and seems inclined to underrate Australian wheat as compared with American, Superior greasy merinos and souud combing wools are steady. Medium crossbreds are £d and Victorian fleece 2d lower. 250,000 bales have been catalogued and 21.000 withdrawn.

n ex? u Ore ' c and stable 5 containing two horses, owned by Mr. Or. fc>. Matheson, at the Kaikorai valley near Dunedin, were burned down on Monday morning, nothing being saved from the fire. In a buggy accident, through a horse bolting, at Auckland, Miss Preudergast was badly hurt, and was taken to the Hospital. She was leaving this week for Kelson, to take a position in a school or convent there. A lad named William Munro, aged 15, residing at Papanui, while rabbit-shooting accidentally shot himself. He was taken to the Hospital, where he expired. Sir Julius Vogel has gent an indefinite reply to the request asking him to stand for the Ashburton seat. A strong rebel force is now in the vicinity of Sheidy, and has captured Debbah. Ihe military staff in Egjpt has prepared plans tor the expected autumn campaign. The Marquis of Normanby, who is now in San Francisco, has forwarded to the Queen a petition from the chiefs of Tanna,. prayinc for the annexation oE the New Hebrides by Australia. ° The French Government have for some time past been advancing obstacles in the way of the projected conference on Egyptian i !?« P , e ? enfc n egotiations have, however, - resulted in smoothing vie difficulties, and there are now prospects of an early meeting of European delegates in London.

A dreadful accident occurred yesterday afternoon at Nelson to a son of Mr. H. D. Jackson, aged 10. He was leading a horse ti the paddock to tether him out when the rope became entangled round his leg. The horse bolted and dragged the boy some distance V> hen the boy was picked up the flesh and skin from the calf wai Jounct stripped off and pulled over the heel on to the sole of the foot lhree doctors have been with the boy, .and have sewn up the flesh. ' Wahanui, toe Ngatimaniapoto chief, has ariived at Waneanui and comes on to Wellington. He will remain here through the session, as he is anxious to see bow it is worked. 1 he Governor has declined to interfere with the sentence of death passed on Donaghue the Hokitika murderer, and he will therefore be-

Tv Tawhiao, Tawbiao's son, writes that all the natives of Whatiwhatihoe have signed a petition asking that the sale of liquor be prohibited in the King Country. * Great complaints are made of I lie ssarcity of pheasants and quail this year at Hawke's Bay. The wekas, which suck the eggs and which have become very nume.uus during the last three yeals are blarasd for the scarcity. j««o, The Auckland lumpers belonging to the New Zealand Lumpeis' Union are now on strike. Captain Scotland, of the Crusader, asked several Union men to assist in discharging his ship on Monday, bufc as he wished to work them in company with his own crew they t^id they would do all the work or none. The lumpers base, their action on one-ef the- Unjypn.,jrales}} whiph is 88 follows : " That members shall not work aboaid any foreign ship with sailors either loading or cnscbaTging. Any member committing said offence shall be line! iua for a nrst offence, and for a second offence shall be expelled from

the i Union." Captain Scotland resisted the Union's dictation, and although the lumpers are 300 strong he fonnd no difficulty in seomine a sufficient number of men to enable him to proceed with discharging. Thus he was put to little or no inconvenience. The president of the Lumpers' Association Union had several interviews with Captain Sculand, but they all came to nothing, as tne latter gentleman had made up his mind as to the course he would pursue, and to go on with his work despite the Lumpers' Union, liie masters of other vessels in harbour decided to do their utmost to assist Captain Scotland, and agreed that they wonld do all in their power to get their work done without the assistance of Union men. A French chemist has been arrested at Dover on a charge of being concerned in landing explosive?. ' Sir H. B. Bulwer, Governor of Natal, has applied for additional troops to be sent to Zululand to disperse the rebels. A number of the leading Tory members support the measure extending the franchise to women. The usual anmnl rising of the river Nile is faking place,' ana tears are entertained that severe inundations may follow. Mr. Clifford liloyd, Undersecretary for Home Affairs in the Egyptian Ministry, Jim gone to England on leave of absence, owing to illness. He will not return to this country. Nubar Pasha, President of the Conncil, insists ia ;t all Europeans should be dismissed from the positions they now fill in the Ministry of the Interior. In connection with the projected European Conference it is now asserted that England ha 3 accepted the principl i of European control o£ the Egyptian finances, and is now discussing with France the question of the duration of the British occupation. Telegrams hare been received from Souakim stating that messengers have arrived there from Berber, who report that the country northward of Khartoum is in a state of comparative tranqmhty, and that the rebellion is nowhere serious except in the immediate neighbourhood of Shendy. It is reported that Debbah has not been captured by the rebels.

A Maori who was attending a tangi, near Gisborae, a few days ago was found dead on hfs way home, with his boy eryinff -over the corpse. ° A meeting of the Lumpers' Union at Auckland was 'held on Tuesday night to consider the matter in dispute between the Union and foreign trading vessels as to working with crewß in loading or discharging ships. Ihe Union decided to allow vessels to work one man of the crew to every 300 tons register. This proposal falls in with the view of the masters of vessels. This Union rule does not apply to vessels under 500 tons. ™ Whan 6 arei a coal-mining company has been formed to work the Whauwhau coal-mine. 20,000 shares have been taken up. A railway line, to connect with the present Government line, is to be completed in five month?. ihe bill for amendiug the purchasing clauses with reference to landed property in Ireland has passed its first reading in the House of Commons. The Republiqxie Francaise asserts that France has frequently refused the requests of the natives to annex the New Hebrides, and it demands that England should respect the agreement with reference to the Islands in the Pacific. The Daily Telegraph approves of the exchange, if possible, by England of the Falkland Islands, situate near the Strait of Magellan, for New Caledonia. r, L . Tawbiao « tne Ma ° ri King, will probably be the guest cf Lord Cbichester during his stay in England. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville. replying to a question, stated that parleying between England and France in connection with the projected European Conference is still proceeding, and that the Government would inform Parliament of the result of the exchange of views before the meeting of the Conference. Letters have been received from the Governor-General of Da fur (an extensive territory belonging to Egypt, to the westward of Kordofan), announcing that supplies having become exhausted he has yielded to the rebels in order to avoid bloodshed. Fasher, the capital of the district, is now in the bands of the Mahdites. Telegrams have been received from the Governor of Dongola stating that he has defeated the rebels in the neighbourhood of Debbah, and recaptured that town.